Is convinced his chapter on man [for Variation] will excite plenty of attention and abuse, which he supposes is as good as praise for selling a book.

Transcription

Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E.

Jan 31st

My dear Sir

Many thanks. After all I now find, on account of my servant & Horses, I cannot
send till Saturday for the M.S. & then my servant can bring all & I
will, as soon as it is marked, send all to Mess. Clowes in Stamford St—

I feel a full conviction that my Chapter on man will excite attention & plenty
of abuse & I suppose abuse is as good as praise for selling a
Book.—

The year is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter from
John Murray, 30 January [1867].

+

f2 5384.f2

See letter from John Murray, 30 January [1867]. CD refers to the printer
William Clowes & Sons.

+

f3 5384.f3

CD had been writing an additional chapter on humans for Variation that was
not included in the manuscript he had sent to Murray (see letter to John Murray,
27 January [1867] and n. 2). Material in the chapter was ultimately
used in Descent and Expression.